Page 179 - Speedhorse November, 2018

Luis Miguel Albores Gleason Classic, Select Auction Futurity-RG3
LA RAPID KING JUDEA
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
The qualification stage of this traditional futurity took place Sept. 1-2. There were 18 races, from which the 10 finalists and others with the right to compete for the consolation prize were obtained from a total of 150 two year olds, 21
less than in 2017. Each horse that was nominated to the Selecta Yearling Auction in 2017 was paid into this race, bringing the purse for the Futurity and Consolation to $8,397,700 pesos (approx. $442,061 US) of which $6,319,200 pesos ($332,647 US approx.) was to reward the finalists.
The finals were run Sept. 23 between eight of the 10 qualifiers, due to the last-minute scratch of El Gran Guru and the loss of the filly Big Lady Native, who died minutes after winning her trial heat to qualify.
The preparation of the equine athletes and
the mood of their connections reflected the importance of the goal to win the most prestigious race and prize at the Hipodromo de las Américas.
The most requested at the betting box office was the chestnut gelding AS Macho, with 0.40 odds to win, since he holds the title of champion for the Garañones Futurity in his record, a second place in the Mexico Futurity, as well as having the second-fastest qualifying time to this race and very close to fastest qualifier BR Bambino.
The rain made its usual appearance and significantly altered the track for this race, which was the last of the Sunday programming.
When everything seemed to be proceeding normally, El Gran Guru (#4) lost control in
the gate and broke loose and ran to the finish without his rider, José Manuel Rosado. BR Bambino also shot forward,
but the halter held him and
he was controlled. However, he received a strong blow to the head, according to his rider Rogelio Sáenz.
The entrants were unloaded
following this and minutes
later they took their positions
again. Upon leaving the gates,
Misterio Del Carmen (#1) and
Bye Bye Mom (#1A), moved
together and blocked Solo
Cartel (#6). The race was run
over the flooded track, with
Espejo Artillera (#5) and Dancer Chimpa (#3) measuring their power to put themselves in front of the group at the start, both very close to the inner rail. Meanwhile on the outside, LA Rapid King Judea (#8) and AS Macho (#10) did the same in such a way that it looked like two separate match-races, where the outside group won by reaching the goal first with LA Rapid King Judea in first a nose in front of AS Macho, who in turn was 3/4-length over Dancer Chimpa and this one 1/2-length in front of Espejo Artillera.
It was a result that surprised the majority, as the winner closed with odds of 12 to 1. His time was :17.30 at 350 yards, good for a speed index of 95, which he obtained under
the strong support of his rider Francisco Javier Fernández .
At the conclusion of the race, Misterio Del Carmen and Bye Bye Mom were disqualified from their final positions for the interference with Solo Cartel on the inside of the track.
The grey gelding LA Rapid King Judea and his rider entered the winner’s circle by the hand of Ramiro González Ozuna, where he was received by members of his team
and followers of Cuadra Los
Gavilanes. At the awards ceremony, Ozuna was honored by Luis Miguel
Albores Gleason, as well as rider Moisés González García who won this futurity in 2017 with the filly Reina De Reinas, and who is recovering from an accident he suffered on April 21
during the Mexico Futurity trials. An emotional reception was paid to Moisés González García on the site of his great achievements.
“I’m very excited for the win, since AS Macho seemed invincible in this group, but we trusted the class and excellent preparation of our colt to make a good run. And so it was, for the pride and prestige of Cuadra Los Gavilanes team and its followers; to all, my thanks,” said Ramiro González Ozuna. The colt is trained by
Hipodromo de las Americas $332,647 • 350 yards :17.30 • si 95
Feature Mr Jess
Rapid Fire Jess
Dollish
LA RAPID KING JUDEA, ‘16-c.
Strawfly Special
Queen Judea
The Nile Queen
LA Rapid King Judea (inside) battles with AS Macho in the final yards to win the Luis Miguel Albores Gleason Classic, Select Auction Futurity-RG3
SPEEDHORSE, November 2018 177
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